Dabo Swinney says QB Deshaun Watson cleared to practice

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney spoke with reporters Wednesday night and delivered some good news, as was reported by CollegeSpun’s Matt Hladik. After suffering a torn ACL last year, rising sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson is fully cleared to practice and should be ready by the start of the season.

“He’s been full go since May,” Swinney said about Watson. “He’s done everything. He really did a lot in the spring. We’re as confident as you can possibly be in a guy. He’s done everything and not missed anything. He’s been at all of the workouts and skills and drills. He’s an above and beyond guy, whatever you tell him he needs to do, he WILL do above and beyond what he needs to do and go above that. He looks great, great summer and excited to get back there. When we start in a couple of weeks, he’ll be leading the charge with no restrictions and he has been doing that and has not missed anything.”

Watson was absolutely rolling for Clemson last season before tearing his ACL in November, having thrown for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns with a completion percentage of 67.2. Watson also managed 200 rushing yards for three scores, and also missed time with a broken hand.

His knee injury kept him out of the Russell Athletic Bowl, in which Clemson crushed Oklahoma 40-6. Now, it appears that he will be ready to go for 2015 and help Clemson seek its second ACC title under Swinney, who has gone 61-26 (39-14 ACC) in six-plus seasons with the team.

Clemson opens the 2015 season at home against the Southern Conference’s Wofford Terriers on September 5.